Restaurant Power Couple to Bring a Cool New Asian Restaurant to Dallas’ Reborn Neighborhood

It’s Another Foodie Victory

Culinary power couple Kent and Tracy Rathbun have some exciting news for Dallas diners. The duo is set to open Imōto, a new Pan-Asian restaurant and bar, in Victory Park on June 7.

The project marks Kent’s return to the Dallas restaurant scene after leaving his beloved restaurant Abacus in 2016, and becoming involved in a legal battle with his former business partners. Meanwhile, Tracy has kept busy opening Lovers Seafood Market and preparing to expand Shinsei with a second location at DFW Airport.

Imōto, named after the Japanese word for “little sister,” will be a culmination of the Rathbuns respective careers in the hospitality industry and their passion for Asian cuisine. The upscale restaurant will offer favorite dishes from a variety of Asian cultures, shareable plates, sushi and craft cocktails.

In addition to offering fine dining, Imōto will bring a taste of nightlife to the Victory Park neighborhood. The restaurant will have a spacious lounge and weekend DJ to complement its extensive cocktail program.

The space is being transformed under the guidance of Brant McFarlain of R Brant Design. The restaurant will have eclectic, modern Asian decor

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“Imōto is going to make you feel like you’re somewhere that you’ve never been,” Kent Rathbun says in a statement. “It takes you to a different place. Everything about Imōto is geared to taking you to an exotic, cool locale.”

The restaurant should be a cornerstone of the new Victory Park. The once-dead neighborhood has been undergoing a major revamp under the direction of retail partner Trademark Property Co. and Tristan Simon’s Rebees. The transformation has brought new stores, restaurants, fitness studios and even Dallas’ first art museum pop-up.

“We’re so excited about the reinvention of the Victory Park District and honored to be a part of what we are certain will become Dallas’ hottest entertainment destination,” Kent Rathbun says.